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electrical:12v:laptop [2023/09/08 00:10]
princess_fluffypants [use a power-sipping laptop]
electrical:12v:laptop [2024/07/25 11:42] (current)
frater_secessus [DC adapters]
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 ====== Charging and powering laptops ====== ====== Charging and powering laptops ======
  
-Laptops are the most power-hungry of the nomad's communications devices;  phones and tablets require [[electrical:solar:frugal|much less power]].+Laptops are the most power-hungry of the nomad's communications devices;  phones and tablets require [[electrical:solar:frugal|much less power]].  Pretty much the only communication device that will consume more power would be a [[communication:internet|Starlink]] dish.
  
 There are two basic approaches to keeping your laptop charged on the road: There are two basic approaches to keeping your laptop charged on the road:
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-===== opportunity charging =====+===== Opportunity Charging =====
  
 **Sit near outlets** whenever possible.  When being seated by a host ask for a spot near an outlet.  Test the outlet before settling in.   **Sit near outlets** whenever possible.  When being seated by a host ask for a spot near an outlet.  Test the outlet before settling in.  
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 Install a [[electrical:12v:intro|power setup]] in your vehicle. Install a [[electrical:12v:intro|power setup]] in your vehicle.
-===== use power-sipping laptop =====+===== Use smaller laptop =====
 {{ :electrical:12v:delllaptopadapterannotated.jpg?200|}}This advice will likely come too late. :-)  {{ :electrical:12v:delllaptopadapterannotated.jpg?200|}}This advice will likely come too late. :-) 
  
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 Watching movies on a tablet or even a phone will use less power than a laptop.  The smaller screen may also allow you to reduce resolution and [[communication:bandwidth_conservation|save bandwidth]]. Watching movies on a tablet or even a phone will use less power than a laptop.  The smaller screen may also allow you to reduce resolution and [[communication:bandwidth_conservation|save bandwidth]].
  
-===== use a DC adapter ===== +===== DC adapters ===== 
-Using a DC adapter for your laptop rather than an [[electrical:inverter|inverter]] + the original 110v charger can save 10% or more power that would otherwise be lost in the inversion process.  +{{ :electrical:12v:12v_usb-c.png?nolink&300|}} 
 +Using a DC adapter for your laptop rather than an [[electrical:inverter|inverter]] + the original 110v charger can save 10%-20% or more power that would otherwise be lost in the inversion process.  Most DC adapters will come with the ciggy port plug; it is common to cut the plug off and and wire it to the fuse box or to your preferred connector type.  
  
-Many modern laptops run off 19v;  a [[https://amzn.to/3fna9n6|generic DC adapter]] will convert your nominal 12v DC power to 19v or whatever the laptop wants For a bit more money you can buy an OEM((Original Equipment Manufacturer)) car charger.+Almost all small-to-medium laptops made from ~2021 and later run off USB-C, which is commonly rated for up to 90w;  a [[https://www.amazon.com/Charger-HKY-12V-24V-Adapter-Replacement/dp/B08MQ7HMPY/|12v USB-C adapter]] will plug into a 12v [[electrical:12v:ports|cigarette lighter]] port and give up to 90w of USB-C which will power most laptops. For a bit more money you can buy an OEM((Original Equipment Manufacturer)) car charger.
  
-Dell sells a 12v power supply for their laptops that is much less bulky than generics: [[https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-auto-air-adapter-90w/apd/450-aelt/pc-accessories|Dell 12v Auto/Air DC Power Adapter]]+Dell sells a 12v power supply for their older/larger laptops that is much less bulky than generics: [[https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-auto-air-adapter-90w/apd/450-aelt/pc-accessories|Dell 12v Auto/Air DC Power Adapter]].
  
 +{{:electrical:12v:12v_140w_usb-c.png?direct&200 |}}
 +
 +For larger/newer laptops (made from late-2023), USB-C has been expanded to support 140w of power delivery((Technically refered to as USB-C PD 1.4)). This is too much for a [[electrical:12v:ports|cigarette lighter]] outlet((they're only rated for 10amps, which works out to 120w)), but [[https://www.usbgear.com/cg-pd140epr.html|direct-wire DC power supplies will give you a 140w capable USB-C port]]. This is only realistically needed for the largest/heaviest laptops, especially gaming laptops or engineering/creator-oriented laptops.
  
 ===== reduce power consumption ===== ===== reduce power consumption =====
electrical/12v/laptop.1694146219.txt.gz · Last modified: 2023/09/08 00:10 by princess_fluffypants